battery question

[David Anderson]

My start batteries were waaaaay down today.  The  headlights wouldn't even illuminate.  We are leaving for a trip Monday.   I'm glad I went out to recheck them. I pulled the batteries out last week and checked the batteries with a hygrometer and was 3 balls out of four floating on all 3 batteries.  I did add an ounce or so of distilled water in several cells to bring them all to the same level.  I cleaned the cables and terminals, reinstalled and I then drove the coach about 40 miles to check everything out and get a state inspection sticker.  All was good to go, and I took her home where she's parked now.   

I have them on the a slow charge now and the meter shows them taking a charge. 
I turned off the master switch last week after I drove it, so nothing was left on.  They are 8D's (three of them) and about 5 years old.  Should I head to Sam's to get 3 new ones, or do I have some other gremlin?

David

[Hi yo silver]

Base on this info alone, and the age of the batteries, my opinion is that they are ready for replacement.  It's worth keeping in mind too, the surest way to age batteries prematurely is to leave them in a discharged state. A smart charger to maintain them is a good investment. Good luck.
Dennis

[Kwajdiver]

Your using 3 8D's as starting batteries??   
Do you still have your coach A/C intact?

I use two normal batteries forget what they are, but the highest cranking amps I could buy at Wally World.
Note, I no longer have the coach A/C.

Saved a lot of money over the 8D's and have no problem turning over the motor.
Of course, the bus is in Florida.

Bill

[luvrbus]

Why 3 of the 8D's David for starting the Eagle had 3 group 31 for starting, only true test is to load test all 3 batteries 1 at a time probably one weak in the group 

Strange you don't have 3 cut off switches or at least 2 on your bus 

CCA is only what you get from 1 battery on your 12v system and 1200 CCA is about the most the starter will hold up too Delco does not like high CCA

good luck

[David Anderson]

Why 3 of the 8D's David for starting the Eagle had 3 group 31 for starting, only true test is to load test all 3 batteries 1 at a time probably one weak in the group  

Strange you don't have 3 cut off switches or at least 2 on your bus  

CCA is only what you get from 1 battery on your 12v system and 1200 CCA is about the most the starter will hold up too Delco does not like high CCA

good luck

What was I thinking?  They are 31's.  Duh  I must have left something on for a week.  They are slowly coming back up, but I don't know if they will be fully charged by tomorrow morning.  I just checked them now, and they are only 25% charged.  Should know more by tonight.

David

[Kwajdiver]

You know, it may just be worth replacing them before your trip.
Peace of mind and all.  Better than breaking down somewhere and can't get the bus started.
I just hate that when it happens.

Bill

[David Anderson]

You know, it may just be worth replacing them before your trip.
Peace of mind and all.  Better than breaking down somewhere and can't get the bus started.
I just hate that when it happens.

Bill

I'm pretty sure I'm going to.  I just checked them again and the charge meter is still showing only 25%.  If I can get them up enough to start the coach, I'll drive it to Sam's tomorrow and replace them on our way out; otherwise, it's a 60 mile round trip to go get them in my pickup.

David

[luvrbus]

Charge the batteries one at time separate the string  David if one will charge it will start and get you to Sams 1 bad egg will not let the others charge

good luck

[David Anderson]

Charge the batteries one at time separate the string  David if one will charge it will start and get you to Sams 1 bad egg will not let the others charge

good luck

Thanks Clifford,

I just went out to do that and noticed one of the three batts was very hot, the other two were cool.  I pulled the hot one out of the string and charging the other two, now.  Sam's in San Antonio has them in stock, $99 each.  Local NAPA has only 2 in stock, $115 each.  Walmart $109 and Tractor Supply $130 both were out of stock.  

After seeing the "SOS broke down on I24 in Nashville" post,  I'm thankful I'm "broke down" in my back yard.  I guess it doesn't get any better than that

David

[belfert]

What was the voltage on the batteries before you charged them?  If they got down close to zero they are probably done.  I have the DDEC and other stuff constantly pulling amps.  If I don't keep a battery tender on the batteries they will be dead in a week or two.  I forgot to plug in the battery charger after a trip and had to buy new batteries after that.

Mine got down close to zero volts and no matter how I charged them I couldn't revive them.  If I charged them for a number of days at 10 amps I could get them up to maybe 11 volts.  By putting the battery charger on at 50 amps boost I could get the engine to start, but probably not good on the starter.

[David Anderson]

What was the voltage on the batteries before you charged them?  If they got down close to zero they are probably done.  I have the DDEC and other stuff constantly pulling amps.  If I don't keep a battery tender on the batteries they will be dead in a week or two.  I forgot to plug in the battery charger after a trip and had to buy new batteries after that.

Mine got down close to zero volts and no matter how I charged them I couldn't revive them.  If I charged them for a number of days at 10 amps I could get them up to maybe 11 volts.  By putting the battery charger on at 50 amps boost I could get the engine to start, but probably not good on the starter.

9.5volts

[rv_safetyman]

David, the 31s are common truck batteries.  I get a monthly flier from the IHC truck dealer and they are often less than $70.  Might be worth a look. 

If you find that you have two good batteries, you might try going that direction until you can find the time to check on truck dealers.

I would bet that you have a way to tie your house battery bank to the engine for emergency starts.

Jim

[belfert]

You may not have completely killed the batteries at 9.5 volts.  As Jim said a truck parts place will have good prices on group 31s.  The last time I bought batteries they were around $80 at the truck parts place and even more at Sam's Club.

[TomC]

Size 31 batts should not be more then $90.00 each.  I'd replace all three-even $350.00 for three new ones is still cheaper then having to pay for a truck jump start.  Good Luck, TomC